Domestic fabric article refreshment in integrated cleaning and treatment processes

ABSTRACT

Fabric article treatment in a domestic appliance using at least a first and a second predominant fluids. Specifically, the first and the second predominant fluids are selected to be different in order to deliver more effective results. The first and the second predominant fluids are independently selected from the group consisting of water, linear or cyclic silicones, hydrocarbons, glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/612,106, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,818,021, filed on Jul. 2, 2003,which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No.09/849,842, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,292, filed on May 4, 2001, whichclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/209,443, which was filed on Jun. 5, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fabric article treatment or refreshmentin a domestic appliance using at least a first and a second predominantfluids. Specifically, the first and the second predominant fluids areselected to be different in order to deliver more effective results. Thefirst and the second predominant fluids are independently selected fromthe group consisting of water, linear or cyclic silicones, hydrocarbons,glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fabric articles, such as mixed bundles of consumer garments and/orfootwear are cleaned and further treated with compositions other thancleaning compositions in various ways. These include treating the fabricarticles by:

-   -   (a) washing them in a washing machine and drying them in a dryer        in the presence of a fabric-softener loaded substrate article;    -   (b) washing them in a washing machine, then treating them with        fabric softener, then transferring them to a dryer;    -   (c) washing them and treating them with fabric softener in a        combined washer-dryer using water as the predominant fluid; and    -   (d) washing or treating them in a non-domestic appliance, such        as a supercritical fluid cleaning machine or a dry-cleaning        machine, for example using supercritical carbon dioxide as the        predominant fluid.

Typically the fabric articles have to be separated according to thetextile of which they are made or according to their color, before suchwashing can be done. Additionally so-called “home dry cleaning”compositions have recently become available. These offer imperfectcleaning and are used exclusively in tumble-dryers, where only verysmall amounts of organic fluids can be used without fire hazards orother problems. Moreover, some recent innovations in appliances forcommercial and/or service business use a predominant fluid which isother than water and/or liquefied carbon dioxide. For example, thepredominant fluid can be a silicone or fluorocarbon. Conventionaldry-cleaning uses perchloroethylene, Stoddard solvent, or otherhydrocarbons and/or azeotropic mixtures of volatile compounds. None ofthe present alternatives offer the consumer the degree of convenienceand satisfaction that would be available if they could treat a mixed,preferably unseparated, bundle of fabric articles in a single series ofcleaning and finishing operations in a single appliance at home. Perhapsthe closest available treatment is that which is conducted in a combinedwasher-dryer, however, even in this case such appliances have noprovision for using let alone recovering any fluids other than water.Moreover, there has apparently been little effort in the art to fullyharness and exploit the cleaning and fabric care advantages of processeshaving more than one fluid.

BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,044, Economics Laboratory Inc. describes a laundrymethod, all taking place in an aqueous laundry bath, including the stepof laundering oil soiled fabric in a particularly defined lipophilicsurfactant composition and subsequently laundering such fabric with ahydrophilic surfactant based detergent system. More particularlydescribed is a multi-step process for laundering oil soiled fabric, saidprocess comprising: laundering said fabric in a first aqueous bathincluding a lipophilic surfactant which imparts oil-solubilizingcharacteristics to said first aqueous bath, separating said fabric fromsaid first aqueous bath, laundering said fabric in a second hydrophilicaqueous bath including hydrophilic detergent and separating said fabricfrom said second hydrophilic aqueous bath.

JP-05009862 A, Kanebo (Derwent Accession Number 1993-062193 [08])describes a process comprising washing a silk fabric grafted with vinylmonomer by a weak alkaline chemical agent such as sodiumtripolyphosphate, hydrosulphite, or Marseilles soap, washing with water,drying, and thereafter clumping under immersion in an organic solvent.The organic solvent may be a low dielectric constant solvent e.g.tetrachloroethylene, mineral terpene, or a dry cleaning liquid. Thesoftening process of the graft silk fabric is asserted to impartsoftness without using a softening agent. The process is not apparentlyused to treat bundles of manufactured clothing, and is not conducted ina home appliance.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,251 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,209, Unilever, do notrelate to laundry processes. They describe a process for production offatty acid soaps comprising extracting sludge (esp. sewage sludge whichmay be crude or activated, and/or co-settled) of solids content>=15 wt.% with a non-polar solvent to recover fatty materials which are thensaponified in presence of a dipolar aprotic solvent of dielectricconstant>=15.

See also by way of background numerous recently described concentratedcleaning appliances, including those which use silicones, fluorocabons,carbon dioxide and the like—several of these are referenced and adaptedto the present purposes in the disclosures hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses a process for treating fabric articlesin an appliance, comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) contacting a fabric article with a first predominant fluid;    -   (b) at least partially removing the first predominant fluid from        the fabric article;    -   (c) contacting the fabric article with a second predominant        fluid;    -   (d) at least partially removing the second predominant fluid        from the fabric article; and    -   (e) optionally, recovering the first or second predominant        fluid;        wherein the first and second predominant fluids are different.

Processes encompassed include those wherein step (a) is selected from:

-   -   (i) an immersive washing step wherein water is said predominant        fluid;    -   (ii) a non-immersive washing step wherein water is said        predominant fluid;    -   (iii) an immersive washing step wherein a lipophilic cleaning        fluid is said predominant fluid;    -   (iv) a non-immersive washing step wherein a lipophilic cleaning        fluid is said predominant fluid;    -   (v) an immersive washing step wherein a fluidized dense gas is        said predominant fluid; and    -   (vi) a non-immersive washing step wherein a fluidized dense gas        is said predominant fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The phrase “dry weight of a fabric article” as used herein means theweight of a fabric article that has no intentionally added fluid weight.

The phrase “absorption capacity of a fabric article” as used hereinmeans the maximum quantity of fluid that can be taken in and retained bya fabric article in its pores and interstices. Absorption capacity of afabric article is measured in accordance with the following TestProtocol for Measuring Absorption Capacity of a Fabric Article.

The term “predominant fluid” as used herein refers to the majoritycomponent of a liquid under operating conditions of a launderingappliance. For example, in conventional dry-cleaning, perchloroethyleneis the predominant fluid. In conventional home laundering, water is thepredominant fluid. In some recently developed processes, supercriticalcarbon dioxide, silicones or perfluorocarbons are the predominant fluid.Carbon dioxide is a gas under normal conditions but becomes a fluidsuitable for cleaning when compressed at high pressures. In applicationsincluded in general in the present invention, e.g., microemulsioncleaning, a predominant fluid need not be more than 50% of all fluidspresent. For example, in a mixture of water and three other fluids, A,B, and C, in the proportions water: 30%, B: 25%, C: 25%, D: 20%, wateris by the present definition the predominant fluid. A fluid used intreatment of fabric articles may moreover be a solvent or nonsolvent forbody soils. For example, processes are known which useperfluorobutylamine as the predominant fluid. However,perfluorobutylamine is a nonsolvent for body soils. A “lipophiliccleaning fluid” as further defined hereinafter is a fluid having atleast the physical and safety characteristics of dry cleaning fluids,which in addition is at least partially liquid at atmospheric pressuresand at least one temperature in the range 0° C. to 60° C. (in otherwords, carbon dioxide, air and nitrogen, for example, are not included).Moreover a lipophilic cleaning fluid as defined herein is at leastpartially a solvent for body soils as defined in the test methodshereinafter (in other words, perfluorobutylamine is excluded).

All percentages and proportions herein are by weight and units are S.Iunits unless otherwise specifically indicated.

The invention has numerous advantages, for example, it provides a muchmore convenient cleaning and refreshment capability for the consumers,especially when the entire process can be performed in a singlelaundering appliance.

Preferred processes herein do not include the use of dense gas andespecially involve a cleaning step or steps which are eithersubstantially aqueous or substantially nonaqueous, use concentratedmedia, and, more preferably still, have low energy requirement. Thisincludes both immersive and non-immersive concentrated process steps.The preferred processes include those which are conducted withoutseparating or grouping the fabric articles by color or by type, i.e.,mixed bundles of “dry-clean only” and “machine washable” articles aretreated in a preferred process. Likewise, mixed bundles of colored andnon-colored articles are treated in a preferred process.

It will be observed that the present processes have in common the atleast partial removal of a predominant fluid after a cleaning step,combined with the use of a lipophilic cleaning fluid in at least onefabric refreshment step. Without being limited by theory, it is believedthat this combination does at least one, and in preferred embodimentsboth of, (i) effectively canceling out carryover effects of agents usedin the cleaning step which otherwise adversely affect the fabricrefreshment step and (ii) eliminating one or more shortcomings ofcurrent home dry cleaning kits which, as conducted in tumble-dryers,require bags, have very little fluid present, etc.

Test Protocol for Measuring the Absorption Capacity of a Fabric Article

Step 1: Rinse and dry a reservoir or other container into which alipophilic fluid will be added. The reservoir is cleaned to free it fromall extraneous matter, particularly soaps, detergents and wettingagents.

Step 2: Weigh a “dry” fabric article to be tested to obtain the “dry”fabric article's weight.

Step 3: Pour 2 L of a lipophilic fluid at ˜20 C. into the reservoir.

Step 4: Place fabric article from Step 2 into the lipophilicfluid-containing reservoir.

Step 5: Agitate the fabric article within the reservoir to ensure no airpockets are left inside the fabric article and it is thoroughly wettedwith the lipophilic fluid.

Step 6: Remove the fabric article from the lipophilic fluid-containingreservoir.

Step 7: Unfold the fabric article, if necessary, so that there is nocontact between same or opposite fabric article surfaces.

Step 8: Let the fabric article from Step 7 drip until the drop frequencydoes not exceed 1 drop/sec.

Step 9: Weigh the “wet” fabric article from Step 8 to obtain the “wet”fabric article's weight.

Step 10: Calculate the amount of lipophilic fluid absorbed for thefabric article using the equation below.FA=(W−D)/D*100where:

-   FA=fluid absorbed, % (i.e., the absorption capacity of the fabric    article in terms of % by dry weight of the fabric article)-   W=wet specimen weight, g-   D=initial specimen weight, g

By the term “non-immersive” it is meant that essentially all of thefluid is in intimate contact with the fabric articles. There is at mostminimal amounts of “free” wash liquor. It is unlike an “immersive”process where the washing fluid is a bath in which the fabric articlesare either submerged, as in a conventional vertical axis washingmachine, or plunged into, as in a conventional horizontal washingmachine. The term “non-immersive” is defined in greater detail accordingto the following Test Protocol for Non-Immersive Processes. A process inwhich a fabric article is contacted by a fluid is a non-immersiveprocess when the following Test Protocol is satisfied.

Test Protocol for Non-Immersive Processes

Step 1: Determine absorption capacity of a fabric specimen using TestProtocol for Measuring Absorption Capacity of a Fabric Article,described above.

Step 2: Subject a fabric article to a fluid contacting process such thata quantity of the fluid contacts the fabric article.

Step 3: Place a dry fabric specimen from Step 1 in proximity to thefabric article of Step 2 and move/agitate/tumble the fabric article andfabric specimen such that fluid transfer from the fabric article to thefabric specimen takes place (the fabric article and fabric specimen mustachieve the same saturation level).

Step 4: Weigh the fabric specimen from Step 3.

Step 5: Calculate the fluid absorbed by the fabric specimen using thefollowing equation:FA=(W−D)/D*100where:

-   FA=fluid absorbed, %-   W=wet specimen weight, g-   D=initial specimen weight, g

Step 6: Compare the fluid absorbed by the fabric specimen with theabsorption capacity of the fabric specimen. The process is non-immersiveif the fluid absorbed by the fabric specimen is less than about 0.8 ofthe absorption capacity of the fabric specimen.

Appliances for Use With the Present Process

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process. The processis carried out in the home of a consumer in a single laundry appliance,and preferably is carried out using a mixed load of fabric articles suchas clothing articles having mixed textile composition and/or mixedcolor.

In general, any suitable appliance can be used for the present process.Typically, a suitable appliance can be one dedicated for the process, orcan be one which is the result of modifying or retrofitting a knownappliance so that it will conduct the process.

The preferred type of appliance is one having dimensions approximatelycompatible with current domestic washing-machines and tumble dryers.

The present processes have in common the at least partial removal of apredominant fluid, preferably water but also possibly including otherpredominant fluids ranging from sub critical liquid carbon dioxide tohydrocarbons or linear (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,040 or U.S.Pat. No. 5,443,747) or cyclic silicones, after a cleaning step, combinedwith the use of a particularly selected lipophilic cleaning fluid in atleast one fabric refreshment step. In some embodiments, the presentprocess also includes a switchover of predominant fluids. In otherembodiments, the first and the second predominant fluids have adifference in dielectric constant of at least about 10. Preferredembodiments can also include single or progressive rinses in thepresence of the lipophilic cleaning fluid, between cleaning with a firstpredominant fluid and fabric article refreshment in the presence of thelipophilic cleaning fluid. Moreover, preferred embodiments can includerecovering and/or recycling the lipophilic cleaning fluid.

The present process can for example be conducted in a modified versionof a home laundering appliance originally designed for concentratedaqueous cleaning, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,455, Spendel. Theminimum modification needed is to provide storage and delivery means forthe lipophilic fluid, which will be used in addition to a firstpredominant fluid, water, in that appliance. Further modification caninclude recovery means, at minimum an additional storage tank, for spentfluid, but a separator can also be incorporated to separate lipophiliccleaning fluid from other materials, e.g., water and/or solid soils.

Likewise the present process can be conducted in a purpose-builtappliance, for example one of the non-immersive purpose-built ormodified appliances disclosed in copending cofiled commonly assignedpatent application Ser. No. 60/209,468, filed on Jun. 5, 2000. Such apurpose built appliance can have advantages, for example in overallminimizing use of the lipophilic cleaning fluid, although the amount oflipophilic cleaning fluid will remain well in excess of, for example,the amounts of organic solvents used in current home dry-cleaningproducts the volume use of which is constrained by current conventionaltumble-driers.

Alternately the present process can be conducted in a modifiedtumble-dryer, however, the tumble dryer will then have to be extensivelymodified so as to allow for the use of both a first predominant fluidand the lipophilic cleaning fluid. Tumble-dryers are not, for example,conventionally plumbed to water and drain lines.

In yet another suitable variation, the present process can be conductedin modifications of new concentrated washing appliances available incommerce from Whirlpool and others. See, for example U.S. Pat. Nos.5,219,370, 5,199,127, 5,191,669, 5,191,668, 5,167,722, 4,784,666 allassigned to Whirlpool. The modifications needed are similar to thoseneeded for the Spendel appliance referred to supra.

Other suitable variations of appliances for use in the present processinclude downsized versions of appliances originally designed fordry-cleaning only or more particularly, commercial dry-cleaning,including, but not limited to, dry-cleaning using subcritical orsupercritical carbon dioxide. Such appliances include those of thefollowing references: FR2762623 A1, Whirlpool, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,996,155,5,482,211, 5,282,381 and 5,822,818, Raytheon and/or Hughes Aircraft,WO200001871 A1, Fedegari Autoclavi, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,344,493, D. P.Jackson, JP11276795 A, NGK Insulators, EP828021 A and U.S. Pat. No.5,881,577, Air Liquide, DE4416785 A1, D. Kannert, U.S. Pat. No.5,412,958 and WO9401227 A1 Clorox.

Another variation of appliance that can be used in conjunction with thepresent process is a downsized version of an appliance as disclosed byGreenearth Inc., see for example the following references: U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,865,852, 5,942,007, 6,042,617, 6,042,618, 6,056,789, 6,059,845,6,063,135. The Greenearth system in its current state is once againprimarily designed for commercial dry-cleaning. Modification of such anappliance, which in fact uses a silicone which is a suitable lipophiliccleaning fluid herein, will include the provision of means to handleanother predominant fluid, e.g., water.

Preferred appliances for use herein generally include those having aperforated drum which can be used in a centrifuging mode, preferably atthe high end of, or higher than, the speeds and G-force ranges ofcurrent leading-edge laundry appliances. In accordance with the presentinvention, the fabric articles to be treated and/or cleaned may becontacted with an impinging gas at any time during the method of thepresent invention.

It is desirable that the fabric articles are contacted by an impinginggas at least prior to applying the cleaning fluid. The impinging gasfacilitates the removal particulate soils from the fabric articles.Particulate soils can be successfully removed using gas flow.Particulate soils include any soil that is comprised of discreteparticles. Nonlimiting examples of such particulate soils include clay,dust, dried mud, sand, cat fur, skin flakes or scales, dander, dandruff,hair from people or pets, grass seeds, pollen, burrs, and/or similaranimal, mineral or vegetable matter which is insoluble in water.

By utilizing the impinging gas, “demand” on chemicals in the process forremoving such particulate soils is reduced.

Typically, the impinging gas is flow from a gas source at a rate of fromabout 10 l/s to about 70 l/s and the gas contacts the fabric articles ata velocity of from about 1 m/s to about 155 m/s. It is desirable tomechanically agitate the fabric articles while the gas impinges on thefabric articles. Further, it is desirable to remove the gas, andparticulate soils in the gas from the fabric articles at a ratesufficient to prevent the removed particulate soils from re-depositingupon the fabric articles.

In one embodiment of the present invention the gas is selected from thegroup consisting of air, nitrogen, ozone, oxygen, argon, helium, neon,xenon, and mixtures thereof, more preferably air, nitrogen, ozone,oxygen, argon, helium, and mixtures thereof, even more preferably stillair, ozone, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment of the present invention the gas used in themethod can be varied over time. For example air could be used at thestart of the process, a mixture of air and ozone used in the middlestages of the process and air or nitrogen could be used at the end.

The gas used may be of any suitable temperature or humidity. Heat couldbe supplied to the gas electrically or by passing the gas over a gasflame, such as, is done in a conventional gas dryer. However, roomtemperature and humidity gas are preferred.

In one embodiment of the present invention two or more gases could bemixed in a mixing chamber before being used in the process. In anotheraspect of this embodiment of the present invention the gases could bedelivered concurrently through different entry points and mix in-situ inthe walled vessel. In another aspect of this embodiment of the presentinvention the gases supplied could exist as mixture and would notrequire any mixing chamber to achieve the required mixture of gas forthe process.

In one embodiment of the present invention the gas could be availablefrom storage, such as from pressurized containers. Alternatively, thegas used in the process could be obtained from the location where theprocess and device occur. For example, a pump, blower, or the like, maybe used to supply air from the surrounding atmosphere for the process ofthe invention. A combination of gas available from storage and from theatmosphere is also envisioned.

In another embodiment of the present invention the gas can be obtainedfrom a compressor. The compressor may be any compressor suitable forproviding gas or gases, provided that they supply the gas to theapparatus within the required velocity and flow rate ranges. Thecompressors are linked to the gas inlet(s) by an appropriate fixture,such as a hose, pipe, tap, fixture or combinations thereof, to providethe inlet(s) with the gas or gases within the required velocity and flowrate ranges. Some typical compressors, which are suitable for providinggas or gases, include rotary screw compressors or two-stage electricalcompressor. Another suitable type of compressor is the so-called“acoustical compressor”, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,020,977, 5,051,066, 5,167,124, 5,319,938, 5,515,684, 5,231,337, and5,357,757, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Typically,an acoustical compressor operates in the following fashion: A gas isdrawn into a pulse chamber, such as air from the atmosphere, compressed,and then discharged as a high-pressure gas. The gas is compressed by thecompressor sweeping a localized region of electromagnetic, for examplemicrowaves, laser, infrared, radio etc, or ultrasonic energy through thegas in the pulse chamber at the speed of sound. This sweeping of thepulse chamber creates and maintain a high-pressure acoustic pulse in thegas. These acoustical compressors have many advantages over conventionalcompressors. For example, they have no moving parts besides the valves,operate without oil, and are much smaller than comparable conventionalcompressors.

In one embodiment of the present invention the gas is provided from agas source at a rate of from about 10 l/s to about 70 l/s, morepreferably, about 20 l/s to about 42 l/s, even more preferably about 25l/s to about 30 l/s. The gas flow rate is measure by a flow meter placein the internal space of the vessel close to where the gas enters thevessel containing the clothes.

In one embodiment of the present invention the gas contacts the fabricarticles at a velocity of from about 1 m/s to about 155 m/s, morepreferably, about 50 m/s to about 105 m/s even more preferably about 75m/s to about 105 m/s. The gas velocity is measure by a flow meter placein the internal space of the vessel close to where the gas enters thevessel containing the clothes.

The velocity at which the gas contacts the fabric articles and the flowrate of the gas are critical parameters. For example insufficientvelocity, means that the particulates are not removed from the fabricarticles. Too great a velocity and the fabric articles are disruptedsuch that the fabric articles cannot be agitated and the particulatesoils cannot be removed. Similarly, insufficient flow rate of the gasmeans that any particulate soils removed remain and can be re-depositedon the fabric article after cleaning.

Lipophilic Cleaning Fluids for Use With the Present Process:Qualification of Lipophilic Cleaning Fluid and Lipophilic Cleaning FluidTest (LCF Test).

Any non-aqueous fluid that is both capable of meeting known requirementsfor a dry-cleaning fluid (e.g, flash point etc.) and is capable of atleast partially dissolving sebum is suitable as a lipophilic fluidherein. The ability of a particular material to remove sebum can bemeasured by any known technique. As a general guideline,perfluorobutylamine (Fluorinert FC-43®) on its own (with or withoutadjuncts) is a reference material which by definition unsuitable as thelipophilic cleaning fluid herein (it is essentially a nonsolvent) whilelinear and cyclic siloxanes such as, but not limited to, D5 or othercyclopentasiloxanes, have suitable sebum-dissolving properties anddissolve sebum.

The following is a preferred method for investigating and qualifyingother materials, e.g., other low-viscosity, free-flowing silicones, foruse as the lipophilic cleaning fluid. The method uses commerciallyavailable Crisco® canola oil, oleic acid (95%, Sigma Aldrich Co.) andsqualene (99%, J. T. Baker) as model soils for sebum. The test materialsshould be substantially anhydrous and free from added cleaning adjuncts,or other adjuncts during evaluation.

Prepare three vials. Place 1.0 g of Crisco canola oil in the first; in asecond vial place 1.0 g of oleic acid (95%), and in a third and finalvial place 11.0 g of squalene (99.9%). To each vial add 1 g of thesolvent or fluid to be tested for lipophilicity. Separately mix at roomtemperature and pressure each vial containing the lipophilic soil andthe fluid to be tested for 20 seconds on a standard vortex mixer atmaximum setting. Place vials on the bench and allow to settle for 15minutes at room temperature and pressure. If, upon standing, a singlephase is formed with any one or more of the three lipophilic soils, thenthe fluid qualifies as suitable for use as a “lipophilic cleaning fluid”(including a garment treatment fluid for non-cleaning purposes) inaccordance with the invention. However, if two or more separate layersare formed in all three vials, then the amount of fluid dissolved in theoil phase will need to be further determined before rejecting oraccepting the fluid as qualified.

In such a case, with a syringe, carefully extract a sample from eachlayer in each vial. The experiment can be adjusted in scale, if needed,for example such that about 200 microliter samples can be taken. Thesyringe-extracted layer samples are placed in GC autosampler vials andsubjected to conventional GC analysis after determining the retentiontime of calibration samples of each of the three models soils and thefluid being tested. If more than 1% of the test fluid by GC, preferablygreater, is found to be present in a syringe-sampled layer, then thetest fluid is also qualified for use as a lipophilic cleaning fluid. Ifneeded, the method can be further calibrated usingheptacosafluorotributylamine, i.e., Fluorinert FC43 (fail) andcyclopentasiloxane (pass).

A suitable GC is a Hewlett Packard Gas Chromatograph HP5890 Series IIequipped with a split/splitless injector and FID. A suitable column usedin determining the amount of lipophilic fluid present is a J&WScientific capillary column DB-1HT, 30 meter, 0.25 mm id, 0.1 um filmthickness cat# 1221131. The GC is suitably operated under the followingconditions:

-   -   Carrier Gas: Hydrogen    -   Column Head Pressure: 9 psi    -   Flows: Column Flow @ ˜1.5 ml/min.        -   Split Vent @ ˜250–500 ml/min.        -   Septum Purge @ 1 ml/min.    -   Injection: HP 7673 Autosampler, 10 ul syringe, 1 ul injection    -   Injector Temperature: 350° C.    -   Detector Temperature: 380° C.    -   Oven Temperature Program: initial 60° C. hold 1 min.        -   rate 25° C./min:        -   final 380° C. hold 30 min.

Preferred Lipophilic Cleaning Fluids suitable for use herein can furtherbe qualified for use on the basis of having an excellent garment careprofile. Garment care profile testing is well known in the art andinvolves testing a fluid to be qualified using a wide range of garmentor fabric article components, including fabrics, threads and elasticsused in seams, etc., and a range of buttons. Preferred lipophiliccleaning fluids for use herein have an excellent garment care profile,for example they have a good shrinkage or fabric puckering profile anddo not appreciably damage plastic buttons. For purposes of garment caretesting or other qualification, e.g., flammability, a primary solventfor use in the lipophilic cleaning fluid can be present in a mixture,e.g., with water, at approximately the ratio to be used in the finalcleaning fluid which will come into contact with fabric articles in theappliance. Certain materials which in sebum removal qualify for uselipophilic cleaning fluids, for example ethyl lactate, can be quiteobjectionable in their tendency to dissolve buttons, and if such amaterial is to be used in the lipophilic cleaning fluid, it will beformulated with water and/or other solvents such that the overall mix isnot substantially damaging to buttons. D5, for example, meets thegarment care requirements quite admirably.

A highly preferred group of lipophilic cleaning fluids includes linearand cyclic siloxanes having a normal boiling point of from about 180deg. C. to about 250 deg. C and a viscosity of no more than about 10 cS,dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, diproplyene glycol n-propyl ether,propylene glycol n-butyl ether and mixtures thereof. Such fluids can befurther modified.

Lipophilic solvents can include linear and cyclic polysiloxanes,hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons. More preferred are the linearand cyclic polysiloxanes and hydrocarbons of the glycol ether, acetateester, lactate ester families. Preferred lipophilic solvents includecyclic siloxanes having a boiling point at 760 mm Hg. of below about250° C. Specifically preferred cyclic siloxanes for use in thisinvention are octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane.Preferably, the cyclic siloxane comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane(D5, pentamer) and is substantially free of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane(tetramer) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (hexamer).

However, it should be understood that useful cyclic siloxane mixturesmight contain, in addition to the preferred cyclic siloxanes, minoramounts of other cyclic siloxanes including octamethylcyclotetrasiloxaneand hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane or higher cyclics such astetradecamethylcycloheptasiloxane. Generally the amount of these othercyclic siloxanes in useful cyclic siloxane mixtures will be less thanabout 10 percent based on the total weight of the mixture. The industrystandard for cyclic siloxane mixtures is that such mixtures compriseless than about 1% by weight of the mixture ofoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

Accordingly, the lipophilic fluid of the present invention preferablycomprises more than about 50%, more preferably more than about 75%, evenmore preferably at least about 90%, most preferably at least about 95%by weight of the lipophilic fluid of decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.Alternatively, the lipophilic fluid may comprise siloxanes which are amixture of cyclic siloxanes having more than about 50%, preferably morethan about 75%, more preferably at least about 90%, most preferably atleast about 95% up to about 100% by weight of the mixture ofdecamethylcyclopentasiloxane and less than about 10%, preferably lessthan about 5%, more preferably less than about 2%, even more preferablyless than about 1%, most preferably less than about 0.5% to about 0% byweight of the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and/ordodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane.

Optional Process Technologies Having Cleaning Effect

Process technologies where not otherwise specifically mentioned andoptionally used with the present invention that have known cleaningeffect can vary widely and include ozonizers, ultrasonic devices,electrolysis devices and ion exchange columns.

Optional Process Technologies Having Other Than Cleaning Effect

Process technologies where not otherwise specifically mentioned andoptionally used with the present invention that have primarily otherthan cleaning effect include especially control technologies includingautomatic dispensers, safety-related technologies, noise controltechnologies, and energy and loopback process control technologiesinvolving sensing a parameter and adjusting the process in function ofthe result detected.

Solvents

Where not specifically included in other components of the presentinvention, solvents can be used in variable proportion to adjust thecompositions or to provide dilution at the point of use. Solventsinclude both polar and apolar, high-dielectric constant andlow-dielectric constant, protic and aprotic types. Solvents includewater, linear and cyclic silicones, hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers,esters, ketones, mixed functional group solvents such as glycol ethers,fluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, azeotropic solvent mixtures, and thelike.

Adjunct Ingredients

Adjunct materials for use in conjunction with processes and compositionsherein can vary widely and can be used at widely ranging levels, forexample from about 0.0001 ppm to about 20% when diluted at the finalpoint of use in the process. Catalytic and/or colored adjuncts, such asdyes, are often present in use at the lower end of the level range,whereas low molecular weight noncatalytic materials are often, but notnecessarily generally, used at higher levels. Where not specificallyindicated, adjuncts will in general be used in level ranges known fromthe art.

Adjuncts include detersive enzymes such as proteases, amylases,cellulases, lipases and the like, as well as other catalytic materials,e.g., bleach catalysts, including the macrocyclic types having manganeseor similar transition metals.

Adjunct materials which are catalytic, for example enzymes, can be usedin “forward” or “reverse” modes, a discovery independently useful fromthe specific appliances of the present invention. For example, alipolase or other hydrolase may be used, optionally in the presence ofalcohols as adjuncts, to convert fatty acids to esters, therebyincreasing their solubility in the lipophilic cleaning fluid. This is a“reverse” operation, in contrast with the normal use of this hydrolasein water to convert a less water soluble fatty ester to a morewater-soluble material. In any event, any adjunct ingredient must besuitable for use in combination with the lipophilic fluid.

Suitable cleaning additives include, but are not limited to, amines andalkanolamines including the lower alkanolamines specifically includingTEA, MDEA and/or MEA, amphophilic polymers where not elsewhere included,aesthetics modifiers, antibacterial agents including but not limited todiclosan, triclosan, 5-chlorosalicylanilide, and various othersalicylanilide derivatives, antifungal agents, anti-graying agents,anti-oxidants including water-soluble types such as ascorbic acid andlower-water soluble types such as sterically hindered aromaticsincluding but not limited to BHT, antiparasitic agents,anti-redeposition agents, anti-tarnishing agents, biological controlagents other than families specifically recited herein, bleachactivators including in particular hydrophobic (more particularlyincluding NOBS and its lower and higher homologs) and cationic orzwitterionic types, bleach boosters, bleach catalysts, bleaches(including oxidizing and reducing types, more particularly includingphthalimidoperoxycaproic acid or PAP, magnesium monoperoxyphthalateand/or DPDA (bleaches are further discussed, for example, in M. E.Burns, Surfactant Sci. Ser. (1998), 71(Powdered Detergents), 165–203),boosters for suds or foam, buffering agents for acidity, bufferingagents for alkalinity, builders, catalytic antibodies, cellulose and/orchitin derivatives, chaotropic agents, chelants for heavy metal ionsincluding S,S′-EDDS, DTPA, HEDP, conventional di- and tri-phosphonates,and hydrophobic variants of any of said chelants, clays includinglaponite and other hectorites, bentonites and/or montmorillonites;colorants, corrosion inhibitors, coupling agents, crystal growthinhibitors, demulsifiers or emulsion-breakers, diamines, polyaminesand/or their alkoxylates, dispersants including but not limited toalkenyl succinic anhydrides and/or Ircosperse 2175 and 2176 availablefrom Lubrizol, divalent or trivalent ions, dye transfer inhibitors,dyes, electrolytes, emulsifiers, enzyme stabilizers, enzymes, fabricsoftening agents, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, finishing aids,fluorescent agents, foam or suds stabilizing agents, humectants,hydrotropes, insect repellents, lime soap dispersants, metal ion salts,minerals, naturally derived, e.g., botanical adjuncts or actives,non-chelating sequestrants for metal ions, odor control agents, odorneutralizers, optical brighteners, perfumes, pH control agents,photobleaches, polyelectrolytes, processing aids, pro-perfumes, rheologymodifiers other than thickeners, e.g., thinners, skin emollients and/orother dermatological benefit agents, soil release polymers, soilrepellants, solvent stabilizers, suppressors for suds or foams,surfactants, textile absorbency modifiers, textile sensory modifiers,thickeners, virucidal agents, waterproofing agents, wetting agents,charge-balancing ions, stabilizers, benefit agents and other drycleaningor laundering adjuncts other than those included in the foregoing, andmixtures thereof.

Surfactants for Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Cleaning

Surfactants, hydrotropes, emulsifiers or wetting agents used, forexample, in the cleaning step of the present process, may in general beanionic, nonionic, cationic or amphoteric/zwitterionic and can have alinear, slightly branched (including, but not limited to, mid chainmonomethyl mid and 2-position methyl branched), substantially branched,cyclic, or polycyclic hydrophobic moiety. Hydrotropes and wetting agentswill generally have shorter chains or hydrophobic moieties comprisingfewer atoms in total. Surfactants will have a wide range of total numberof atoms, e.g., carbon atoms, in their hydrophobes, for example fromabout 6 to about 20, depending on whether rapid kinetics at lowtemperature, or maximum equilibrium effect in surface tension reductionare required. Surfactants useful herein will likewise encompass a widerange of surfactant parameter, depending for example on whether they arerequired to be interfacially active at a water phase boundary or at anon-aqueous phase boundary. Emulsifiers can be monomeric or polymeric,are often selected from nonionic surfactants having emulsifyingproperties, and can have a wide range of HLB.

Preferred surfactants for use herein are mixtures of two or moresurfactants, and include in one preferred embodiment, a surfactantmixture which comprises a surfactant other than a nonionic surfactant,typically this is an anionic surfactant.

Surfactants useful herein can come from broadly differing classes, forexample recitals of surfactants for use in aqueous laundering areubiquitous in patents of Procter and Gamble, Unilever, Henkel, Colgate,Kao, Lion and other assignees. These are not, however, the only types ofsurfactants useful in the present process.

Another family of surfactants is that selected for use in conventionaldrycleaning. Such a family of surfactants commonly includes types, suchas dialkylsulfosuccinates, certain phosphate esters having one or twohydrophobes, acid forms of surfactant, ammonium salts of conventionalanionic surfactants, and even oils such as fatty alcohols, which areunusual as or are simply not used as surfactants in conventional aqueousdetergency. For example, illustrative of anionic surfactantsreapplicable herein but generally of types disclosed for use indry-cleaning include dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, potassium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, triethanolaminedodecylbenzene sulfonate, morpholinium dodecylbenzene sulfonate,ammonium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, isopropylamine dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium tridecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dinonylbenzenesulfonate, potassium didodecylbenzene sulfonate, dodecyl diphenyloxidedisulfonic acid, sodium dodecyl diphenyloxide disulfonate,isopropylamine decyl diphenyloxide disulfonate, sodiumhexadecyloxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (10)ethyl sulfonate, potassiumoctylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (9)ethyl sulfonate, sodium alpha olefinsulfonate, sodium hexadecane-1 sulfonate, sodium ethyl oleate sulfonate,potassium octadecenyl-succinate, sodium oleate, potassium laurate,triethanolamine myristate, morpholinium tallate, potassium tallate,sodium lauryl sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth (3)sulfate, ammonium laureth (2) sulfate, sodiumnonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (4) sulfate, sodiumdiisobutylsulfosuccinate, disodium lauryl-sulfosuccinate, tetrasodiumN-laurylsulfosuccinimate, sodiumdecyloxypoly(ethyleneoxy(5)methyl)carboxylate, sodiumoctylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy(8)methyl)-carboxylate, sodium monodecyloxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (4)phosphate, sodium didecyloxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (6) phosphate, and potassium mono/dioctylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (9)phosphate. Other anionic surfactantsknown in the art may also be employed.

Among the useful nonionic surfactants which may be employed areoctylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (11)ethanol, nonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy)(13)ethanol, dodecylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (10)ethanol,polyoxyethylene (12) lauryl alcohol, polyoxyethylene (14) tridecylalcohol, lauryloxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (10)ethyl methyl ether,undecylthiopoly(ethyleneoxy) (12)ethanol, methoxypoly(oxyethylene(10)/(oxypropylene (20))-2-propanol block co-polymer,nonyloxypoly(propyleneoxy) (4)/(ethyleneoxy) (16)ethanol, dodecylpolyglycoside, polyoxyethylene (9)monolaurate, polyoxyethylene(8)monoundecanoate, polyoxyethylene (20)sorbitan monostearate,polyoxyethylene (18) sorbitol monotallate, sucrose monolaurate,lauryldimethylamine oxide, myristyldimethylamine oxide,lauramidopropyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, 1:1 lauric diethanolamide, 1:1coconut diethanolamide, 1:1 mixed fatty acid diethanolamide,polyoxyethylene (6)lauramide, 1:1 soya diethanolamidopoly(ethyleneoxy)(8)ethanol, and coconut diethanolamide. Other known nonionic surfactantsmay likewise be used.

Illustrative useful cationic surfactants include a mixture of n-alkyldimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides, hexadecyltrimethylammoniummethosulfate, didecyldimethylammonium bromide and a mixture of n-alkyldimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides. Similarly useful amphotericsurfactants include cocamidopropyl betaine, sodiumpalmityloamphopropionate, N-coco beta-aminopropionic acid, disodiumN-lauryliminodipropionate, sodium coco imidazoline amphoglycinate andcoco betaine. Other cationic and amphoteric surfactants known to the artmay also be utilized.

Additional surfactant classes which are useful in the practice of thepresent invention are surface-active polymers and surfactants whichcomprise at least one CO₂-philic moiety and at least one CO₂-phobicmoiety, or other surfactants known for use in supercritical fluidcleaning. See, for example, Supercrit. Fluid Clean. (1998), 87–120 andreferences therein. Such surfactant classes are well known in commerce,and are conveniently but nonexhaustively listed in patent publicationssuch as: U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,977, Unilever; U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,133,Micell; U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,505, Air Products.

Fabric Softeners

Fabric softeners or conditioners useful herein can have linear orbranched, saturated or unsaturated hydrophobes and can include certainamines, quaternary amines, or protonated amines, or mixtures thereof.Such materials particularly include diesters of diethanolammoniumchlorides (I), sometimes termed “diester quats”; dialkyl imidazolineesters (II) or the corresponding amides wherein NH replaces 0 in formula(II), diesters of triethanolammonium methylsulfates (III), esteramide-tertiary amines sometimes termed amidoamineesters (IV),esteramide-quaternary amine chloride salts (V), and diesters ofdihydroxypropyl ammonium chlorides (VI).

Fabric softeners of structure (I) can, for example, be the product ofreacting hard or soft tallow fatty acid, oleic acid, canola acid orother unsaturated acids of varying iodine number withN-methyldiethanolamine followed by quaternizing with methyl halide, ormore generally, any suitable alkylating agents, e.g., dimethylsulfate,in isopropanol, ethanol or other suitable solvents. Fabric softeners ofstructure (II) can, for example, be prepared by reacting hard or softtallow fatty acid, oleic acid, canola acid or other unsaturated acids ofvarying iodine number with aminoethylethanolamine in the presence of asuitable catalyst and further catalytically ring-closing converting theresulting intermediate. The corresponding amides wherein NH replaces Oin formula (II) can be prepared analogously by substitutingdiethylenetriamine for aminoethylethanolamine. Fabric softeners ofstructure (III) can be prepared similarly to those of structure (I)substituting triethanolamine for N-methyldiethanolamine, however complexmixtures of monoester, diester shown in structure (III), and triesterare typical. Fabric softeners of structure (IV) can be prepared from theamine HO(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)(CH₂)₃ in turn prepared from N-methylethanolamine,H₂C═C(H)CN and hydrogen over a nickel catalyst. The amine is reactedwith hard or soft tallow fatty acid, oleic acid, canola acid or otherunsaturated acids of varying iodine number. Fabric softeners ofstructure (V) are prepared by quaternizing those of structure (IV).Fabric softeners of structure (VI) can, for example, be prepared byreacting epichlorohydrin with dimethylamine to produce3-dimethylamino-1,2-propanediol followed by reacting the latter in thepresence of a catalyst with hard or soft tallow fatty acid, oleic acid,canola acid or another unsaturated fatty acid of varying iodine numberand quaternizing the product in the art-known manner. Other variationsinclude amido analogs wherein NH replaces the in-chain —O— in structure(III). These can be prepared reacting hard or soft tallow fatty acid,oleic acid, canola acid or other unsaturated acids of varying iodinenumber with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(2-aminoethyl)ethylenediamine in thepresence of a catalyst and reacting the intermediate product with(CH₃O)₂SO₂ in isopropanol or ethanol. Older fabric softeners include theconventional ditallowdimethylammonium chloride andditallowdimethylammonium methylsulfate, prepared by reacting tallowalcohols with methylamine in the presence of a catalyst and quaternizingthe intermediate dialkylmethylamine. Alternatively the intermediate canbe reacted with 2-ethylhexanal first under dehydrating conditions, thenin presence of hydrogen and a nickel catalyst to form an intermediateethylhexyl-substituted tallowmethylamine which is then quaternized inthe customary manner. More generally, any fabric softener activeprepared from a fatty source, and preferably the biodegradable types, isuseful herein. For recent reviews, see J. Surfactants Deterg. (1999),2(2), 223–235 and Surfactant Sci. Ser. (1997), 67(Liquid Detergents),433–462 and the numerous patent and other literature references therein.The fabric softener components herein can be formulated at widelyranging levels, for example from 0.001% to 10% by weight with apreferred level of fabric softening components from 1% to 5% by weightof a composition prior to final in-situ dilution in use. Commercialsuppliers of fabric softeners include Stepan, Witco, Akzo, Clariant,Henkel and others.

Physical Form of Formulated Compositions

Compositions useful in conjunction with the processes of the presentinvention can have any suitable physical form as formulated, includingpowders, granules, tablets, liquids, gels, pastes, liquids or gels indissolvable containers, and composite types, for example tablets withliquid, paste or gel inserts. Compositions for use herein can moreoverbe formulated in multicompartment containers.

Point-of-Use Compositions

In view of the fact that certain compositions herein can be prepared inthe appliance using dosing or mixing systems to combine ingredients atthe point of use, point-of-use compositions are defined herein as anycomposition formed in-situ by mixing two or more formulation components.Point-of-use compositions for use in the present process are encompassedin the present invention.

Phase Structure

Compositions useful herein, whether to be sold in pre-prepared form oras prepared by mixing ingredients at the point of use, can have widelyvarying phase structure. This includes emulsions, microemulsions,dispersions, and macroemulsions having a range of stability.

Preferred Compositions

In the following examples, all percentages are by weight unlessspecifically indicated.

EXAMPLE 1 Fabric Article Refreshment Composition

One particularly preferred composition for use herein, which can bepreformulated on prepared in-situ as a “point of use” composition forfabric article refreshment, is a composition comprising: 2000–3000 ppmof a fabric softener, preferably a diesterquat mixture having asprincipal component, for example, more than about 30% of the compound ofstructure (III) supra, derived from canola, rapeseed or the like andhaving an iodine value of about 40 or higher; such materials arecommercially available from Witco or Akzo; 1% of a coupling solvent,e.g., an alcohol, in a preferred example ethanol; and the balance, i.e.,98%+ of the composition, as lipophilic fluid, is cyclopentasiloxanee.g., D5 available from General Electric.

EXAMPLE 2 Fabric Article Refreshment Composition

In another suitable composition, as compared with Example 1, the levelof fabric softener is increased to about 2% to about 3% by weight anddipropylene glycol dimethyl ether (Proglyde DMM, Dow). is used aslipophilic fluid instead of D5, at a level of about 97%.

EXAMPLE 3 Perfumed and/or Colored Variants

In each of the above examples, optionally but preferably, about 0.01% toabout 0.5% of the lipophilic fluid can be replaced by perfume and/orcolorant.

EXAMPLE 4 Fabric Article Cleaning Composition

Another preferred composition for use herein, which can be preformulatedon prepared in-situ as a “point of use” composition for fabric articlecleaning is a composition comprising:

Cyclopentasiloxane, GE Silicone Fluid SF-1528 50% GE Silicone FluidSF-1488 50%

EXAMPLE 5 Fabric Article Cleaning Composition

Tergitol 15-S-9 59.5% C11.8 LAS, TEA neutralized   20% 1,2 hexane diol 0.5% water   20%

EXAMPLE 6 Fabric Article Cleaning Composition

This example is to illustrate an aqueous cleaning composition used inone embodiment of the process of the invention, in which first anaqueous cleaning system is used and then a lipophilic cleaningfluid-containing composition is used.

Concentrated Aqueous System:

Liquid Tide High Efficiency or Liquid Tide (2–8%) and water (balance, ora mixture of ethyl lactate and water 20:80 by weight)

Lipophilic Cleaning Fluid Refreshment System:

Composition of Example 1

EXAMPLE 7 Fabric Article Cleaning Composition

D5 cyclopentasiloxane  85% Water  10% GE Silicone Fluid SF-1528 2.5% GESilicone Fluid SF-1488 2.5%

EXAMPLE 8 Fabric Article Cleaning Composition

C12 fatty methyl ester 87.4% Tergitol 15-S-9  7.5% C11.8 LAS, TEAneutralized  2.5% 1,2 hexane diol 0.06% water balancewhere

-   LAS is linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid-   TEA is triethanolamine

EXAMPLE 9 Fabric Article Cleaning Composition

Ethyl lactate   85%  90% water 14.8% 9.8% Liquid Tide HE  0.2% 0.2%

EXAMPLE 10 Fabric Article Cleaning Composition

dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether  85% Tergitol 15-S-9 3.7% C11.8 LAS,TEA neutralized 1.3% water  10%where

-   LAS is linear alkyl benzene sulfonate-   TEA is triethanolamine

EXAMPLE 11 Fabric Article Cleaning and Refreshment Composition Kit

Package varying amounts of the compositions and/or any individualingredients and/or mixtures of ingredients of any of the above Examplesin separate bottles with an applied shrink-wrap and usage instructions.

All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein byreference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as anadmission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A process for treating fabric articles in an appliance, comprisingthe steps of: (a) contacting a fabric article with a first predominantfluid; (b) at least partially removing the first predominant fluid fromthe fabric article; (c) contacting the fabric article with a secondpredominant fluid; (d) at least partially removing the secondpredominant fluid from the fabric article; and (e) optionally,recovering the first or second predominant fluid; wherein the first andsecond predominant fluids are different, and one of the predominantfluids is water and the other predominant fluid is a silicone.
 2. Theprocess according to claim 1 wherein the first and the secondpredominant fluids have a difference in dielectric constant of at leastabout
 10. 3. The process according to claim 1 wherein the steps areperformed sequentially from step (a) through step (d) and optionally,followed by step (e).
 4. The process according to claim 3 wherein theprocess further comprises: rinsing the fabric article one or more timesin the presence of a lipophilic cleaning fluid.
 5. The process accordingto claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and the second predominantfluids is used in the presence of an adjunct selected from the groupconsisting of surfactants, fabric softeners, enzymes, perfumes,pro-perfumes, bleaches, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleachboosters, suds boosting agents, buffering agents, chelants, brighteners,antibacterial agents, antistatic agents, non-softening fabric tactilemodifiers, alkalinity sources, colorants, lime soap dispersants, odorcontrol agents, odor neutralizers, dye transfer inhibiting agents,crystal growth inhibitors, demulsifiers, photobleaches, heavy metal ionsequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents,anti-oxidants, anti-redeposition agents, soil release polymers,electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent ions, metalion salts, enzyme stabilizers, diamines, suds stabilizing polymers,solvents, process aids, sizing agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes,and mixtures thereof.
 6. The process according to claim 5 wherein boththe first and the second predominant fluids are used in the presence ofadjuncts, the adjuncts in the first and the second predominant fluidsare different.
 7. The process according to claim 5 wherein the adjunctin the first predominant fluid is a cleaning adjunct and the adjunct inthe second predominant fluid is a refreshment adjunct.
 8. The processaccording to claim 1 wherein steps (a) and (c) are independently animmersive washing step or a non-immersive washing step.
 9. A process fortreating fabric articles in an appliance, comprising the steps of: (a)contacting a fabric article with a first mixture comprising a firstpredominant fluid, and optionally, a first auxiliary fluid that isdifferent from the first dominant fluid; (b) at least partially removingthe first predominant fluid; (c) contacting the fabric article with asecond mixture comprising a second predominant fluid, and optionally, asecond auxiliary fluid that is different from the second predominantfluid; (d) at least partially removing the second predominant fluid; and(e) optionally, recovering the first or second predominant fluid;wherein the first and second predominant fluids are different, and oneof the predominant fluids is water and the other predominant fluid is asilicone.
 10. The process according to claim 9 wherein steps (a) and (c)are independently an immersive washing step or a non-immersive washingstep.
 11. The process according to claim 9 wherein each auxiliary fluidis independently selected from the group consisting of water, linear orcyclic silicones, hydrocarbons, perfluorocarbons, perchloroethylene,glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof.
 12. The process according to claim9 wherein at least one of the first and the second mixtures is used inthe presence of an adjunct selected from the group consisting ofsurfactants, fabric softeners, enzymes, perfumes, pro-perfumes,bleaches, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, sudsboosting agents, buffering agents, chelants, brighteners, antibacterialagents, antistatic agents, non-softening fabric tactile modifiers,alkalinity sources, colorants, lime soap dispersants, odor controlagents, odor neutralizers, dye transfer inhibiting agents, crystalgrowth inhibitors, demulsifiers, photobleaches, heavy metal ionsequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents,anti-oxidants, anti-redeposition agents, soil release polymers,electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent ions, metalion salts, enzyme stabilizers, diamines, suds stabilizing polymers,solvents, process aids, sizing agents, hydrotropes, and mixturesthereof.